A recent study, in which a number of American research centers, institutes, and hospitals participated, warned against following a diet that includes skipping breakfast, or fasting for long periods,
The study indicated that this may affect the human immune response, and make it difficult for the body to fight infection.
The study, conducted by researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Schools in New York and Harvard and their specialized institutes, stated that diets that include fasting for long periods without eating or drinking can be linked to cardiovascular disease, and even some types of cancer.
The researchers conducted their studies on mice to better understand how chronic fasting habits and skipping meals for long periods of four to 24 hours affect brain and immune system responses.
The scientists divided the rats into two groups, the first ate breakfast immediately after waking up, while the other group did not. They performed blood tests on specific schedules, first after waking up, then after four hours, then after eight hours.
The results indicated that there was a significant difference in the amount of white blood cells in the fasting group, specifically monocytes that are made in the bone marrow and travel throughout the body to help fight infection and disease and regulate the immune response.
The study found that 90 percent of these specific cells disappeared from the bloodstream of the fasting mice. The cells in the fasting mice returned to the bone marrow and remained in a “hibernating” state, causing the cells to age differently from other cells of the same type.
The researchers continued these tests for 24 hours, before reintroducing the food to the mice.
The study notes that after the cells return to the bloodstream after being dormant, the cells become inflamed, making it difficult to protect them from infection.
The research team also found that certain areas of the brain have direct control over these white blood cells and their response during fasting. They also discovered that fasting triggers tension in the brain, and someone may feel angry because of hunger.